7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs,ak Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed,al they became furious.am 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. 9 So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.

10 In Judah, it was said:G

The strength of the laborer fails,

since there is so much rubble.

We will never be able

to rebuild the wall.

11 And our enemies said, “They won’t realize itA until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again,B “Everywhere you turn, they attackC us.” 13 So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. 14 After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people,a “Don’t be afraid of them.b Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”c

SWORD AND TROWEL

15 When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor.d The officers supported all the people of Judah, 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people,e “The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall.f 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”g 21 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. 22 At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23 And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.D